Scale



Apr. 3^: 1923.

R. GRAIG SCALE 1921 I5 sheets-sheet. 1

Filed Jan. 24,

Xd.. .MH JJHH Apr. 3, 1923 Y R. GRA'IG SCALE Filed Jan. 24, 1921 5 sheets-:ahemJ 3 Patented Apr. 3, 1923.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT CRAIG, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO INTERNATIONAL SCALE COMPANY, F DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SCALE.

i Application filed January 24, 1921. Serial No. 489,334.

To a/Z iff/iam it may concern Be it known that I. Romair Cnam, a citizen of the l'nited States of America. resid4 ingcr at Dayton. in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Scales, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to au improved weighing scale and is more particularly directed to that class of scale known to the trade as a bench. market. or portable scale. ll'ith scales of this I 'eneral class it is desirahle that the construction employed inv clude characteristics of so-called counter .scales and al o certain features of Isolcalled heavy capacit) factory scales.

The present invention has for its objects the provision of an automatic scale which is adapted to weigh in the usual manner tu indicate at a single )oint the entire amount of thc load. lteatlings are always right side up and it is not necessary to glance around a large dial circle for the amount. The reading being always taken at the same point permits the usa of a magnifying lens such as used in counter scales. 1"urthermore the reading point may be located at any point either at the front top. side, or at an angle. as desired. Another object of the invention resides in the provision of construction in which the weight indications are read from a drum indicator and in which capacity weight devices are employed to increase the capacity of the scalel These capacity weight devices are also arranged to change the ,reading upon the drum so as to take into account the value or weights.

\Vith this construction a combined reatL ingr at a single point may be taken of the sum of the automatically counterbalanced load and of thel'oad counterbalanced by the capacity weight'zr weights. In this manner mental additions of two readings4 are avoided.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a construction in which the weight indicating charts may be made of ampli. length to give an increased clear interval between the successive graduation lines over constructions now employed for this type of scale.

one embodiment of the invention.

values of the applied capacity 2) the pendulum.

Other objects and advantages will be pointed out in the accompanying specification and shown in the drawings in which:

Fig. l shows a front elevational view of The front cover plate is shown removed toA show the interior parts and the tare beam is like wise omitted.

Figf'Q is a vertical sectional view of the scale Shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal detail sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the multiple drop weights supported by an aligninfr knife edge on the beam.

fig. 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of the invention in which supplementary counterbalancing pendulums are employed.

Fig. G shows an end view of the construction shown `in Fig. 5 and also shows the an le location of the reading opening which" feature i ay be incorporated in the preferred embodiment.

Fig. 7 shows a detail view of the shutter.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal partsectional'-yiew of the construction shown in Fig. 5. Certain parts are omitted for clearness.

Fig. 9 shows a section of the weight chart.

'In more detail the scale comprises a base 10 of usual construction having at the rear thereof a housing 1l for thelcounterbalancing mechanism and scale beam. On to of the housing 11 is a short pedestal 12 w lich carries a drum housing 13. Within the base 10 there is the usual base lever system (not shown) 'and these levers suitably Support the platform or goods support14 (Fig. 15 represents the scale beam..j This beam is fulcrumed by means of knife edges 16 which are su )ported in suitable.bear ings carried by` the brackets best shown in Fig. 1. The scale beam is connected to the base lever system by means of a steelyard 17 and a suitable loop and knife edges. The beamvalso carries a depending pendulum 18 which preferably swings in the hase section of the scale, suitable slots being provided in the base top to permit the travel of The pendulum 18.constitutes an automatic counterbalance for the applied load.

ln the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the single pendulum 18 23 `.vith a supplementary nose iron of the base lever system. This type of pendulum counterbalanee construction is desirable in certain installations since minor changes in level of the scale do not cause an appreciable change in position of the scale beam. Any desired arrangement of automatic counterbalancing system may be employed as desired. 1

To check oscillations of tht` beam I provide the usual dash pot 24 which is supported in any desired manner-and connected to the beam in any way as by a link.

Capacity' weight applying devices.

Vhen the capacity of the automatic eounterbalancing means is exceeded b the applied load l provide means for app ying capacity weights to the beam 15. weights react and return the beam to a position which is within the range of the automatic countcrbalance. In the embodiment illustrated three weights are employed. Rach weight comprises a lower weight) portion Q (Fig. l). and an upwardly extendingr shank Q6 having an integral L shaped portion QT and a superimposed integral part 2S which is roughly the shape of an inverted L. The side of the shank 26 and the sides of portions 2T and 28 define the side walls of a slot 29 in which a knife edge 30 carried by the scale beam may more. The lower face, of each portion 28 is notched as shown at 3l to form a V-shaped knife edge bearing. The knife edge carries a series of diamond pointed spacers or separators 32 (Fig. 4) which `serve to separate the weights and prevent interference therebetween. These separators guide the weights into a position of support on the knife edge (see Fig. 4). The diagonal slot 32% between the ends of portions QT and QS serves to permit the removal of the weights and also acts to prevent accidental throwing" of the weights.

For normal weighingV operations the weights are all retained in upperiposition. ln Figs. 1 and 5 one weight is shown in upper position and two weights (one being be hind the other are shown iu lower position).

To selectively elevatel and lower. the ucights a 4cries of shiftcnrods 34 are provided. one for cach weight. llach rod in .sliilablv joui-milled in the casing and carries a laterali)v projecting arg1 35 which extends uudcr the bottoni of the l.. shaped portion 27 of ils capacit) weight. Flach arm ii carries a diamond pointed aligning edgey d which lits a corresponding recess in the bottoni of These i the L shaped portion 27. It will be understood that by selectively lowering one or more of the shifter rods the weight or weights will be deposited upon the beam and that they may be removed in part or entirely from the beam by operating one or more or all the shifter rods in reverse direction.

To so operate the shifter rods I provide a. handle 37 which is fastened to a shaft 38 journalled ina suitable bracket. This shaft has rigidly fastened to it cams 39, 40 and 41.A

Below shaft:A 38 isna second shaft 42 'having freely otatable'thereon a. numberof linger arms 43, 44 `and 45.` These finger arms have portionsthereof extending into cooperation withthe cams heretofore mentioned and have rounded ends 46 which extend into slots in theshifter rods 34. By displacingthe handle 37 clockwise the fingers 43, 44. will be operated one at a time until the shifter' rods are all elevated. Reverse movement lowers the rods in succession. To.A indicate the number of rods which are elevated and to retain Vthe handle in set position, I.provide a quadrant 47 with suitab e markings thereon.

lleigkt indicating mechanisms.

In thc'drum housing is mounted a drum 5() which in general construction, except for its length, is similar to the drums used in counter scales. This drum is mounted upon a'shaft 5l which is carried on the usual antifriction hearings and provided with a driving pinion indicated at 52 and meshingIr with -a rack 53 connectedin any desired manner as graduated from zero to 25. the second column 25 pounds to 50 pounds: third column :'ll pounds to 75 pounds and fourth column T5 to lOtl pounds. l preferably do not graduate the entire chart but leave a short and uniform clear interval just before the zero of the first column and corresponding point. of the adjacent columns.

rl`he visibilit of the columns is controlled by means of a pivoted shutter' (il which is provided with a number of staggered window openings, (i2. (i3. (il and (i5. 'The sluittcl' is pwfcrubl)4 couutcrbaluuccd and is iutcrcounected with the capacit)y weight hau` llc mechanism by .a lilik ('it' and a crank arm G7 carried by a shaft 38. The drum housing is prorided with a .suitable reading opening llll 67 which ma have a magnifyingglass 68 and the usualyreading wire 69. VThis opening extends across all of the columns and may be located at any desired point in the periphery of the chart housing. For example, it may be on the front as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 or at an angle as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 or on top if desired. In portable scales this feature will permit the use of a short column and alow drum.'

For normal weighing o rations without capacity' Weights the win ow 62 will align with reading opening 67 and expose section 57 of the chart to lview. If the load then exceeds the capacity of this section of the chart and of the automatic counterbalance the clear interval on the cha'rt will appear at the window and the operator will be apprised that capacity` weight or weights should be added. A capacity weight or a pluralit i of them are then applied by the manipii ation of the handle37.` As soon vas the clear space on the chart moves from under the indicating wire the operator will be apprised that sufficient capacity weights have been applied to bring the parts of the scale into position to be within the range of the automatic counterbalance, The manipulation of the handle 37 concurrently readjusts the position of the shutter so that the particular column of the chart is exposed which corresponds in initial value to the applied capacity weight or weights. After the drum comes to 'rest therweight indicai tion is read and this reading is taken at a single point on the drum and will correspond to the total cumulative value of the applied capacity weights or weight and of the automatically counterbalanced load. If no capacity weights at all have been applied the reading will be taken from -coliimn 57 and will show directly the amount of the automatically counte'rbalanced load. All chart readings of columns which 'do -Iiot correspond with the total of the automatically counterbalanced and capacity weight counterbaliinced loads will be `obscured from view. Mental additions usually necessary with the capacity weight type of scale will be avoided thereby facilitating the taking of readings :ind minimizing the chance of errors.

lf an excessive number of weights are applied the handle is moved in reverse direc.- tioii to successively remove the numlier of weights necessary to bring the parts to a position to be within the range of the automatic counterbalance. Thereafter the reading is taken as before.

The construction above described permits the whole scale to be made extremely com pact. For example, if the drum is made 8 inches in diameter, fourttinies the diameter of foi drum is available for graduations which would approximately cor'rpond with a 34 inch dial upon a dial scale. Clear interval between graduations can be readily maintained within legal limits and ounce graduations may also be Secured with weighin capacities not heretofore attained.

Vliile I have described my invention with particular reference to the visual taking of a weight reading it will-be understood that \in its broader aspect the invention is not necessarily limited to visual reading. Furt ermore the designations upon the displ cable member heretofore referred to as the drum, indicator, ned not necessarily be smplewe ht designations. The values may represent any factors based upon weight. Man varieties of scales are now in use which dis lii'y amounts basedupon weight and mu tiplied by another factor: My inventionis equally applicable to such uses.

Certain generic claims readable upon the present disclosure, are being asserted in my copending application, Serial No. 386,453, filed on or about June 4, 1920.

` lVhat I claim is- 1. In a weighing scale, in combination, a scale beam, a load support connected thereto, an automatic counterbalancing means for the a plied load, an indicating drum dis` placed) in accordance with the displacement of the beam. capacit) weight applying means, and means associated with said capacity weight applying means for obscuriiig certain sectiom's of said drinn. and rendering other sections thereof visible whereby the total load as .counterbalanced by the automatic counterbahincing means and by the applied capacity weights may be directly read from the said drum.

2. In a weighing scale of llie automatically countei'balanced type having capacity weight devices, a scale beam, a rotatable indicating drum having a plurality of rows of weight graduations thereon, one row having .u range corresponding to the automatically counterbalanced load. the other successive rows corresponding to said range increased by the total amounts of the applied capacity weights. and means for selectively render- -ing visible the 'roa7 of graduations corresponding to the total number of capacity weights applied to the beam.

3. In a weighing scale of thc automaticall),1 coiinterbalanced bcuni type. in which means are provided for increasing the capacity of the scale by the application of capacity weights to the beam. an indicating drum displaceable in accordance with the automatically counterbalanccd load having a plurality of rows of weight graduations thereon, one of said rows having a weight range corresponding to the automatic counterbalancing capacity of the scale, the other 'rows corresponding in range to the total of the weight ofthe load automatically counterbalanced and of tht` weight of the llU graduations corresponding load counterbalancied by the applied ca acity weight or weights. and means opera le by the capacity weight applying -means for selectively rendering visible the vrow of l to the total applied capacit)1 weights an for concurrentlyv obscuring the other rows of graduations.

4. In a weighing scale, in combination with an automatically` counterbalanced beam scale and 'capacity weight"devices therefor to increase' the ainout of the ap plied load that may be chiinterbalanced b).- tlie scale, of an'indicating member displacef `with the application or noiilapplieation of the capacity weight.

ln a weighing scale, in combination. a alle lieani. an automatic counterhalance therefor. an indicator. displacealile in accoi-dane(` with the displacementof the alitoniatically counterhalanced beam. a pluraliti' of rows of weight graduations of rari'4 iiig values each row of graduations havingv the saine total range of value` a sluittci' haring a serics4 of staggered window openings e-ich coi-responding with one of said rows. a capacity weight appl'rin'gT de- \ico haring provisions for successively applying capacity weights lo the scale lieani. und uicaiis associated therewith and oper ated thereby for adjustinpr the shutter to i position to align va window with a particular row and expose the gi'adliatioiis of that row to i'icw.

(l. lii a weighing scale. in combination. a scale licain. an automatic coiiiiterlialanciupr means for the applied load. a driini indicator displaccalilc in accordance with thc applied automatically countcrlialaiiced load` a capacity l\\'ei; rlit device including a FettineY haiidlc and a plurality ofpcapacity weights. iiicans for succcssii'cl \Y and cunnilatiiely applying'snid weights to tlic licam upon the displacement of said handle and for successively rciiioving the saine upon the revcrsc movement tlicieof. and iiicaiis operated hy said handle for chan; fiii; y the display of the weight indication liysaid` drinn to accord with tlic applied capacity weight or wciglits and to thereinl indicate. at a single point on the driiin :in acciiiiiulated readiiipr of the entire :ipplicd load.

T. ln a 'cigliinpr scaliiii coiniiiimiion. :i scale licam. an automatic couiiteroalaue- `counterlialaiiccd load. a

ing means for the applied load, a drum indicator3dis'plaeeable' in accordance with the applied automatically counterbalanced loadga capacity`-weight device including a setting handle and a. plurality of capacity weights, means forsucoessirely and cumula- 1 tivelyf'applyingsaid Weights to the beam upon the, displacement of, saidhandle and foi` sucee'fssii'ely`ireii'niii'ing tl1'e,l saine: i upon the Vreverse4 increment tliereofi' and `means operated' by 'said jliandlefofpcliangngl the displa" '-tlie'weightimdicationjby the driimjftfo give v'at'icsiiiglepintftliereon an accumulated weight reading-'ofi the' amountI of tlie'loa'd, connterlia'la*rit-edf` "tlie'f; autocounterhalance'larid-the' pplied capacity'm'eight'orii'iiei:lits.,

8. In ajweighin'gf'slealheL iayiiig'z apacity weight dei's'andautomatic load cfiu'iteri i ,displa'ceable in accordancewitli theliautoma'tidally"coiiii trliala need load andi havingagiplu'rality of 'I I fradiiateil:l indicatingl .'sect-ionsfV for differl ent load ranges,` a; capacity 'fweigi'ht device for offsettingaoetaiiifportions of, the' applied load. and means lcontrolled by said device for changing the j display of 'the indicationrfrom section to section asthe load range correspondingly clianges 9. In a lweighing scale. in combination, a 'scale heainian;automatic*counterbalance therefoiL'a capacity. weight device.' a displaz'ealile .weight-oiitrolled indicator haiiiig multipleindications thereon., one corresponding! to the automatically counterbalanced load and the'otliers to said load supplemented h v the Vamounts-offset hy one or morel of the capacity weights. and nieai `for correspondingly changingr the 'display of theindications upon the operation of the capacity device whereby a single indicationi'of the ent-ire o'set load is displayed..

1U. ln a weighing scale of theautomatically couiiterlialai'iced type havin'gY capacity weight devices to'iiicrease the amount of the applied load that may be couiiterbal-v aiiced by thc scale. of a member displaceahle iii accordance. with the automatically pluralityv of rows ofi designations representing. factors of weight upoii said iueiiiher. one of said rows .representing factoisI based upon .the weight as automatically coiiiiterlialanced and `.Vithiii thc rangc of the automaticallycounterhalaiiccd load. :mother of said rows representing factors liased Auponiftlitini'eig'ht as automatically coiinterllalaiicedi'iiicre thc weight of thc load` countciliiilaniied iy a capaiiti' weight. :iiid meanslfor',coopcratii'clil controlling he taking .of rcadings from onc or aiiotlicr of'said cows of lli-.signation` in accoi'dancc with tlic"`.ippli\:itioii or noii-a|ipl|cation of a capacity weight.

il. lii a weighing scale. in combination with a load support. automatic. couiiterbalscid by ings may he taken, and means associated with the aforesaid capacity weight applying means for preventing the taking of readings from certain portions of said displaceable member and for permitting the taking of readings from other portions l0 thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereto affix signature.

ROBERT CRAIG. 

